FASCIA, PROPRIOCEPTION, AND CHRONIC PAIN

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"Fascia contains mechanoreceptors and proprioceptors. In other words, every time we use a muscle, we stretch fascia that is connected to spindle cells, Ruffini and Paccini corpuscles and Golgi organs. The normal stretching of fascia thus communicates the force of the muscle contraction and the status of the muscle regarding its tone, movement, rate of change in muscle length, and position of the associated body part to the central nervous system."From Dr. Warren Hammer, the chiropractic profession's leading expert in soft tissues and fascia (The Fascial System is a Sensory Organ). Dr. Hammer went on to say in another article (Why We Need to Fix the Mechanoreceptors) that,"One of the most relevant discoveries in the world of anatomy over these many years is that muscle spindles, the chief proprioceptive cell affecting our muscles, are not in the muscle, but in the fascia surrounding the muscle and its muscle bundles. A mechanoreceptor is stimulated when it is deformed, but when it is restricted in fascia that is unable to glide... it is unable to stretch, which is critical for the function of the spindle cell."

"This study demonstrated an abundant innervation of the fascia consisting in both free nerve endings and encapsulated receptors, in particular, Ruffini and Pacini corpuscles. The hypothesis that the fascia plays an important role in proprioception, especially dynamic proprioception, is therefore advanced. In fact, the fascia is a membrane that extends throughout the whole body and numerous muscular expansions maintain it in a basal tension. During a muscular contraction these expansions could also transmit the effect of the stretch to a specific area of the fascia, stimulating the proprioceptors in that area."From a 2007 study from the journal Morphologie (Anatomy of the Deep Fascia of the Upper Limb)

"It is now recognized that fascial network is one of our richest sensory organs. The surface area of this network is endowed with millions of endomysial sacs and other membranous pockets with a total surface area that by far surpasses that of the skin or any other body tissues. A myriad of tiny unmyelinated 'free' nerve endings are found almost everywhere in fascial tissues, but particularly in periosteum, in endomysial and perimysial layers, and in visceral connective tissues. If we include these smaller fascial nerve endings in our calculation, then the amount of fascial receptors may possibly be equal or even superior to that of the retina, so far considered as the richest sensory human organ. However, for the sensorial relationship with our own body - whether it consists of pure proprioception, nociception or the more visceral interoception – fascia provides definitely our most important perceptual organ."Dr. Robert Schleip from Fascia as an Organ of Communication

"There really is a sixth sense: it’s called proprioception. It is the sense of position and movement. It is produced by nerves in our connective tissues (ligaments, bone, fascia) and our 300-or-so muscles. Without proprioception, you couldn’t stand up (standing up is actually shockingly complicated). You couldn’t so much as scratch your nose, because you wouldn’t be able to find it."Paul Ingraham from his article, Proprioception, The True Sixth Sense. I included Ingraham's article only because he was a previous editor of Gorski & Novella's SCIENCE-BASED MEDICINE and has written a large article decrying fascia as being an important target of manual therapies.

When we think of the nervous system, most of us automatically think of its sensory side --- things we feel. While the sensory side is certainly important, even more important is the motor side of the nervous system --- the part of the nervous system that makes things work; that makes muscles and organs function. There is, however, another side of the nervous system; a part of the sensory system that's critically important, yet hardly ever discussed by lay persons --- mechanoreception, aka proprioception.

First off, don't confuse these two terms with nociception; something completely different. Nociception (certain kinds of nerve endings are called nociceptors) is associated with things like pain, constricted blood vessels (vasoconstriction), MUSCLE SPASM (this and the previous can cause hypoxia or lack of TISSUE OXYGENATION) as well as various deficits in the autonomic nervous system (can anyone say SYMPATHETIC DOMINANCE?). Functional neurologist DR. DAVID SEAMAN puts it this way.....

"Nociception and pain are two completely different animals. However, a devastating consequence of both pain and nociceptive stimulation of the hypothalamus, is the release of cortisol by the adrenal glands. Over time, elevated levels of cortisol will promote glucose intolerance, inhibit collagen formation, increase protein breakdown, inhibit secretory IgA output, and inhibit white blood cell function."

In other words, nociceptive stimulation coupled with proprioceptive loss means that you are far more likely to end up with ADRENAL FATIGUE, BLOOD SUGAR ISSUES, PROBLEMS HEALING (the body enters a catabolic state of breaking itself down as opposed to anabolic state of building itself up), various sorts of IMMUNE SYSTEM PROBLEMS, HORMONAL ISSUES (true for men as well --- HERE), not to mention CHRONIC PAIN. Mechanoreceptors are the numerous and various nerve endings (mostly "encapsulated" --- Ruffinis, Pacinis, Golgis, etc) that are greatly responsible for proprioception. What is proprioception?

When mechanoreceptors are stretched, compressed, or sense almost any sort of movement or vibration, they fire off input into your nervous system to give a person what is called "kinesthetic awareness" (kinesthesia). In other words, along with mechanoreception; inner ear function and visual input allow for balance and an awareness of where your whole body, as well as the various parts of your body, are in space. Of the three, it is widely believed that mechanoreception is the most important. Together, this kinesthetic integration of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems is known as proprioception.

When joints and tissues are being moved through normal ranges of motion on a regular basis (EXERCISE, PERIODIC ADJUSTMENTS, STRETCHING, YOGA, etc, etc, etc), mechanoreceptors of all kinds are being fired. This is important on many levels. Although I cannot find the study he was referring to, I attended a WHIPLASH seminar in Little Rock 25 years ago where the instructor (the brilliant Dan Murphy) said that for every proprioceptive impulse not fired off due to loss of or abnormal mechanoreception (usually due to loss of or inhibited ranges of motion), thirty responses are inhibited on the motor side. It's likely what caused the father of FUNCTIONAL NEUROLOGY, Ted Carrick, to say (I am loosely quoting here), "chiropractors don't move bones off nerves, they put pressure on mechanoreceptors". This helps explain some of the CRAZY MIRACLES that occur in my clinic from time to time (the link deals with an individual getting his hearing back as the result of a single adjustment after 42 years of deafness --- I did not realize he was deaf).

A majorly important thing to remember is that in the same way nociception can inhibit mechanoreception, the opposite is true as well --- mechanoreception has the potential to inhibit nociception. In other words, when joints are moving through normal ranges of motion and being moved on a regular basis (trust me when I say that people are often fooled -- HERE --- I was totally fooled by a 26 year old female yesterday), it has a pain-inhibiting / spasm-inhibiting effect, that tends to push the body away from SYMPATHETIC DOMINANCE and towards the parasympathetic side of the nervous system, meaning the body has a better ability to both relax and digest. It's also why having joints --- particularly joints of the spine --- that do not move through normal ranges of motion, even in the absence of pain, is never a good thing.

FASCIA, MECHANORECEPTION AND PAIN

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FASCIA is the thin, cellophane-like membrane that covers and clings to numerous anatomical structures and tissues, including muscles. Not only is fascia the most abundant connective tissue in the body, it is known to be loaded with mechanoreceptors of various sorts. Why is this a big deal? It's a big deal for a couple of reasons. Firstly, remember that when fascia and other connective tissues (TENDONS, LIGAMENTS, etc) are injured (TRAUMATICALLY, REPETITIVELY, OR OTHER), it creates what the medical community calls FIBROSIS. In my clinic, I call it SCAR TISSUE because it's a simpler concept for most people to grasp, and despite those who want to debate the matter, are essentially the SAME THING.

Adhesed fascia leads to a phenomenon known as DENSIFICATION. Due to the adhesive nature of this problem, it tends to perpetuate subluxation, or at the very least, an inability to reduce subluxation (SUBLUXATION is defined as a loss of normal alignment or motion of joints --- usually vertebrae). This is why there are so many people CANNOT HOLD AN ADJUSTMENT. They often do amazingly well with Chiropractic Adjustments for a little while, but no matter what they do, they cannot seem to hold adjustment more than a few days, or in some cases, just a few hours.

How long have we known that fascia is loaded with mechanoreceptive abilities? For starters, in 1974 the Bulletin of Tokyo Medical and Dental University published a study called Mechanoreceptors in Fascia, Periosteum and Periodontal Ligament (PERIOSTEUM is the membranous fascia that covers bones). But there are many others. Thus, after realizing the intimate relationship between pain and abnormal proprioception, it should make you stop and think yet again about fascia as a potential generator of chronic pain. Let's briefly look at some more early research.

A 1992 study on the THORACOLUMBAR FASCIA (Sensory Innervation of Human Thoracolumbar Fascia from Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica) takes us back even further, when the authors state, "Recent studies have proclaimed a significant role for the thoracolumbar fascia in the biomechanics of the lumbar spine. To our knowledge, there are only two histologic studies on the human thoracolumbar fascia (Stilwell, 1957, Hirsch 1963). Methylene-blue positive elements were found by Stilwell in the thoracolumbar fascia, such as numerous free nerve endings and large pacinian corpuscles. Hirsch spoke of 'complex unencapsulated endings.'" The thing is folks, this study was 25 years ago, and dealt with a study that is now sixty years old. Thankfully, however, there are many such studies on fascia and it's proprioceptive abilities now.

For instance, listen to what our own government said of fascia in this cherry-picked quote from a 2014 issue of one of the journals published by the Veterans Administration ---- the Journal of Rehabilitation, Research, and Development (Fascia—Current Knowledge and Future Directions in Physiatry: Narrative Review). For the record, physiatrists are medical doctors who, although they do use drugs to treat patients, sometimes treat in similar fashion to chiros or the old fashioned DO's. "Fascia can be considered part of the connective tissues that permeate the human body. In medical education, trainees are taught about various organ systems, including the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and neurological systems. Fascia is part of all of these systems...." So, why isn't mainstream getting this message? One of the biggest reasons has to do with imaging. It takes VERY SPECIAL IMAGING TECHNIQUES to actually see fascia (MRI will not image fascia). But honestly, the lack of understanding starts long before that. The authors go on to explain why most physicians (and yes, even chiros) don't have much of a grasp of the importance of fascia when coming out of professional school.

"With embalmed cadaveric specimens, the majority of fascial tissues are either ignored or difficult to discern during a dissection. However, if unembalmed cadavers are dissected using 'fascia-sparing' techniques, much more may be garnered regarding the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system. These 'fascia-sparing' dissections demonstrate functional connections and emphasize the continuity of fascia throughout the human body. Fascia is more evident in living bodies. When defining fascial tissue via anatomical dissections, it may be difficult to define it only structurally, especially if fascial tissue has a dynamic and widespread role. For example, functions such as force transmission and sliding are not easily demonstrated in static specimens."

I had intense cadaver-based anatomy / physiology courses both at Kansas State University and at Logan College of Chiropractic, and in neither case do I recall fascia being as much as mentioned let alone its astounding properties being studied or discussed. The cool thing though, is that this is changing. There are now "Functional Anatomists" that are doing special dissection seminars. I believe that Tom Meyer's of ANATOMY TRAINS is doing this as is GIL HEADLY, JAAP VAN DER WAL,JOHN SHARKEY, along with any number of others. Thanks to new research and new dissection methods, things are starting to change and this information is slowly filtering down to practicing physicians.

Some of this new research includes studies on the relationship between fascia and proprioception not just in an anatomical sense, but in a functional sense as well. For instance, a handful of studies from the March 2014 issue of the Journal of Motor Behavior (includingThe Medium of Haptic Perception: A Tensegrity Hypothesis, The Stresses and Strains of Tensegrity & Proprioception, Tensegrity, and Motor Control) each deal with proprioception as related to TENSEGRITY, which is the molecular and microscopic shape / structure that fascia uses to be both firm (strong) and springy (elastic). In other words, tensegrity allows fascia to resist not only mechanical loads that pull on it, but the axial loads that compress it as well.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN FASCIA'S PROPRIOCEPTIVE ABILITY IS FOULED UP?

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"It is critical to understand that fascia is what gives our soft tissues structural support. We now know that there exists a state of structural and functional continuity between all of the body’s hard and soft tissues, with fascia being the ubiquitous elastic–plastic, gluey, component that invests, supports and separates, connects and divides, wraps and gives cohesion, to the rest of the body – the fascial, connective tissue network. Without fascia, our muscles would be like a jelly substance without much form at all. The fascia contains sensitive nerves that convery proprioception (joint position sense) as well as pain nerve fibers. Fascia, when healthy, forms a gliding interface with underlying muscle allowing free excursion of the muscle under the relatively immobile skin. When fascia gets mechanically loaded, injury can occur resulting in fibrosis and adhesion formation. This adhesion formation disrupts the normal 'sliding and gliding' of the tissues. As the fascia thickens, it can disrupt balance and proprioception. This can result in binding up tissues that should slide and or stretch and thus disrupting motor patterns. This can lead to chronic tissue loading, further injury, and global soft tissue holding patterns".Matt Fontaine of Potomac Physical Medicine discussing a video by Dr. C (Leon Chaitow Talks About the Explosion of Fascia Research), much of it being transcribed word for word Dr. Leon Chaitow is a British osteopath, naturopath, author, researcher, and university professor.

So, what happens when we lose proprioceptive abilities --- when mechanoreception becomes fouled up? One of the biggies (I wrote about it HERE years ago) is degenerative arthritis. Joints that don't work properly wear, with this wear turning right around and causing the affected joints not to work properly --- an ugly "vicious cycle". Actually, we must also throw inflammation into this loop as related to fibrosis and Scar Tissue (HERE). I've already shown you how fouled fascia is related to dysfunctional mechanoreception, and that dysfunctional mechanoreception leads to dysfunctional nociception, which leads to pain. This has become common knowledge as seen in the October 2015 issue of the medical journal Biomed Central (Fascia as a Proprioceptive Organ and its Role in Chronic Pain - A Review of Current Literature).

"Latest research shows that the fascia is highly innervated. Especially the thoracolumbar fascia exhibits a high density of mechanoreceptors. They are responsible for proprioceptive information, i.e. implicit information about joint position and movement. In chronic pain patients, proprioception is impaired and studies indicate that connective tissue structures in painful body parts exhibit pathological changes. Fascia should therefore be considered a cause of pain and proprioceptive deficits and treatment should be applied accordingly."

We'll get to treating proprioceptive deficits of fascia in part II of this shindig, but for now, lets take a look at a couple of real life applications of this phenomenon that are not related to DEGENERATIVE OSTEOARTHRITIS. What happens when you have a WEAK CORE, lose THORACOLUMBAR INTEGRITY, or find yourself locked into LOWER CROSSED SYNDROME? Take a look at the conclusions of this amazing study that was done by three medical doctors and published almost two decades ago in a 1999 issue of the journal Spine (The Effect of Lumbar Fatigue on the Ability to Sense a Change in Lumbar Position: A Controlled Study). After comparing the backs of those with back pain to the backs of those without, the researchers determined that.....

"Protection against spinal injury requires proper anticipation of events, appropriate sensation of body position, and reasonable muscular responses. Lumbar fatigue is known to delay lumbar muscle responses to sudden loads. Patients with chronic low back trouble had significantly poorer ability than control subjects on the average to sense a change in lumbar position, which was noticed before and after the fatiguing procedure. This feature was found in patients and control subjects, but patients with low back trouble had poorer ability to sense a change in lumbar position than control subjects even when they were not fatigued."

Why does this matter? Only because one's ability to sense joint position is one of the many functions of proprioception. When proprioception goes bye-bye, sooner or later (probably sooner) you will end up with pain. It really is that simple. But it's also far more complex. Remember a few paragraphs ago when FUNCTIONAL NEUROLOGIST David Seaman was discussing proprioceptive dysfunction as related to Adrenal Fatigue (FIBROMYALGIA --- or HERE)? CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME is intimately related to both Fibro and Adrenal Fatigue. Now listen to what the May 2013 issue of Frontiers in Physiology had to say about this in a study titled Neuromuscular Strain as a Contributor to Cognitive and Other Symptoms in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

"Individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have heightened sensitivity and increased symptoms following various physiologic challenges, such as orthostatic stress [changing position], physical exercise, and cognitive challenges. Similar heightened sensitivity to the same stressors in fibromyalgia has led investigators to propose that these findings reflect a state of central sensitivity. Work by Brieg, Sunderland, and others has emphasized the ability of the nervous system to undergo accommodative changes in length in response to the range of limb and trunk movements carried out during daily activity. If that ability to elongate is impaired-due to movement restrictions in muscles, fascia, and other soft tissues adjacent to nerves, or due to swelling or adhesions within the nerve itself, the result is an increase in mechanical tension within the nerve. This adverse neural tension, also termed neurodynamic dysfunction, is thought to contribute to pain and other symptoms through a variety of mechanisms. These include mechanical sensitization and altered nociceptive signaling, altered proprioception, adverse patterns of muscle recruitment and force of muscle contraction, reduced intra-neural blood flow, and release of inflammatory neuropeptides."

They use a lot of big words, but here's the thing folks. Although he used different descriptive language than we are used to today, DR AT STILL --- the founder of osteopathic medicine --- was talking about this exact same thing back in the 1800's (HERE) as was the developer of chiropractic, DR BJ PALMER. It also happens to be why you have extremely educated people today (for instance, DR INGBER and DR LANGEVIN of Harvard) who believe that problems in the fascia are a root cause of all sickness, pain, and disease. That was not a misprint folks. That would be all as in all. Which is why you shouldn't be shocked to learn that fascia is intimately related to cancer --- HERE and HERE.

If you are looking for more detail on this subject (including information on the various types of mechanoreceptors found in fascia as well as what they do), I would suggest you try Dr. Robert Schleip's Fascial Mechanoreceptors and Their Potential Role in Deep Tissue Manipulation (HERE). Oh, and make sure to take a look at Part II of this post -- WHAT IT TAKES TO SOLVE PROPRIOCEPTIVE DYSFUNCTION IN FASCIA. And for those of you who can't seem to get enough information about this amazing tissue, I have organized all 160+ of my posts on fascia into one post (HERE).

I've read a few of your fascia postings and can't help but surmise that perhaps the nerve pain I am and have been experiencing for 4 years now is related to scar tissue. I had my infected appendix removed and another surgery (entered through the scar). x-ray shows my L4 is forward (believed to be congenital) The plan is to adjust L5 forward. I'm in a ton of pain. Scar tissue is not being addressed. I'm in my 25th year as a massage therapist and am desiring to study and take classes (if there are any for my profession) on addressing scar tissue on the level you write about to be a help to others suffering with chronic scar tissue issues. Any insights on both subjects would be greatly appreciated

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Kim

8/24/2018 06:03:40 am

Your comment regarding scar tissue as a possible contributor or instigator caught my attention. In my manual therapy practice over the part 25 years scar tissue has been a leading factor in treating pain, chronic pain, movement dysfunction, postural deviations and just chronic complaints not successfully addressed to date. Combining itcrith my training of Craniosacral therapy, visceral manipulation, lymph drainage and judy plain ol’ PT, scar release has proven to be an ace in the hole. One word of caution: hold its effectiveness within the context of the whole person. It opens up the body tremendously, then integrate that new opening Into new patterning.

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Mar

4/23/2019 04:20:45 am

Another postsurgery scar sufferer here (postlateral thoracotomy, in my case). The scar itself doesn't hurt, but I'm pretty sure it's causing the rest of my back pains... The surgery took pain one year ago and got me interested in manual work, so I am now training as a massage therapist :D Where would you start reading, if you were me? There are a lot of articles, and I'm a bit overwhelmed (even if very grateful for them!).

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William

7/12/2017 10:00:57 pm

This is it !!! Please continue to guide us to improved clarity. With a deep bow.

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Diane Stoddard

8/16/2017 04:56:43 pm

Anterior Cervical spine surgery. 4 level disectomy and fusion.3-7. July 12 2017. One month out. Good days. Not so good days with neurological vertigo-like balance dysfunction. I am able to correct because i am aware. What can i do to help heal the trauma of the surgery which was a success in eleviating severe chronic head and neck pain. My prognosis is excellent. I am moving in ways that feel good in a pool. Stretching all areas of body. I am even able to swim freestyle which i could not do before surgery. Just how much stress or pressure is correct. It is hard to know.

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Dr. Russell Schierling

8/19/2017 02:56:29 am

Hello Diane,

I address the brunt of your question in this post. Of course not everything will pertain to you (naturally you will have some very specific therapy) but dealing with inflammation is a huge deal as far as future success is concerned.

I had cadaver class at Brian Utting School of Massage 1992Now that I am ready to begin another career(Essentrics Teacher)I appreciate that I went to a great school!

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Elaine

8/18/2017 10:09:11 am

I have been a victim of this condition for 20 years. I was told it was a fascia istretching like a run in a nylon stocking over the muscles in my neck after an injury. I have severe arthritis there now and believe it is the cause of all my spine and jaw issues over all this time. I was given this information by a muscular therapist I believe to be a true healer. Frank Corcoran Living Well in Salem AMA. He was onto this 20 years ago. I had been in chronic sever nerve pain in my lower back for the past 7 . 3 neurosurgeons tried to convince me i needed surgery and a fission of two vertebrae. Dr. Terrance Doorly a neurosurgeon convinced me to wait. He said he did not want to rely on my horrible vertebrae MRI and the fact that I had pain. He did not think the pain was moving in the right pattern and that something else was causing such nerve pain. It was a nerve trapped somewhere else let's try other stuff. Chiro, Accupuncture 2 knee replacents muscular therapy and steroid shots in my facet joints and hip. Finally the nerve pain has stopped . I do believe it has been a combo of massage chiro and accupunture. however it is a work in progress. I still believe it is my fascia that has issues of heightened nerve sensitivity. I need to cut all tags from all clothing etc. slight touching of certain areas cause total discomfort. You info sounds targeted to my ongoing issues. Is there treatment. Can my neck be fixed without surgery. So many questions. Please continueI need more info.

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Dr. Russell Schierling

8/19/2017 02:46:20 am

Hello Elaine,

I certainly feel for you. The degeneration can certainly make things tougher, but usually not impossible. I enclosed an extremely generalized template.

As someone who developed chronic fatigue syndrome within months of a spinal fusion for scoliosis correction when I was 12, this article is as interesting as it is depressing for me. I've suffered fatigue to varying degrees as well as chronic back pain for the last 22 years of my life...so my fascia is probably a right old mess, but my spine is fused what can I possibly do about it! :(

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Dr. Russell Schierling

8/19/2017 02:37:43 am

Hello Jantil,

It is common to develop chronic fatigue / Adrenal Fatigue (see my site) shortly after stressful events. Even though you cannot undo the fusion, make sure to check out a cool post on addressing chronic problems on your own.

I had a car accident and broke a lot of bones 15 years ago now I'm in pain all the time but it's not stabbing pain it's stiff and aches hard to move quickly muscles spasms and if I lay too long I hurt if I'm up and walking I feel better until I'm tires then I don't? I take turmeric and massages arnica Acupunture Rolfing all of it helps and gives me shorts periods of relive but the pain still returns. This symptom is new when I first get up and I'm stiff my ankles and bottom of my feet hurt it's like walking on bruises it works itself out but those few minutes are awe full. Could this be the cause? I'm scared I'm losing my battle with the pain. Any advise would be great I don't have insurance so I'm trying to get answers on my own.

As someone damaged by Levaquin, I am worried that my fascia has been involved in the resulting mitochondrial destruction. My fear is that because the damage is at a mtDNA level, it cannot be undone or even vastly improved through either physical therapy or any type of supplementation. I can only foresee a lifetime of pain as these damaged cells divide and become more copies of mutated mtDNA.
I'd say a great deal of the fascia in my body has been affected. I've developed lymphedema, my ribs dislocate for no good reason, the muscles and connective tissues of both legs are involved particularly the left leg, my left knee is bone on bone, I've developed lipoedema, dry eye, a compression fracture of my T7 vertebrae, shoulder problems and general body pain. All of these things and more have happened in the last 14 months since taking Levaquin, prednisone and ibuprofen. Steroids and NSAIDS are not to be prescribed with Fluoroquinolone antibiotics, such as Levaquin I have since found out. Doing so can make the damage done by the antibiotic far worse. I am currently in physical therapy and about to have injections in my knee. No steroids though. I don't have much hope for a positive outcome. I'd love to hear that I'm wrong.

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Dr. Russell Schierling

8/19/2017 02:30:42 am

Hello Dawn,

Unfortunately I cannot necessarily tell you that you are incorrect in your assessment. I have at least half a dozen articles on Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics. I cannot help people who have been "Floxed". Keep warning your friends and loved ones. These are dangerous even without NSAIDS and Corticosteroids.

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Keith

8/19/2017 04:48:09 am

I have had 2 surgeries and 30 rounds of radiation to my thoracic spine for pilocytic astrocytomas. As a result I can't walk at night and my balance is impaired. I was told that had to do with propreorection and was from the radiation treatments. Now I have hip problems was wondering if that was from fascia tissue weakness and over computation from left leg weaknesses and if you had any other articles to help with this.

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Dr. Russell Schierling

8/21/2017 06:24:44 pm

Hello Keith, Unfortunately, there can be some pretty severe consequences to using radiation as therapy; one of which is tissue stiffness and inelasticity. Yes, the radiation could have at the very least, contributed to this issue.

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Wendy Ward

8/19/2017 06:51:10 am

Hello! I found your article so very interesting and am still processing how your line of thinking may apply to me. Almost 3 years now of pudendal neuralgia on right side only. I have endured multiple nerve blocks (including unassisted vaginal), cryoablation and so many meds I probably can't list them all. When one neurologist finally agreed to a physical therapy referral I was told that the base of my spine is pulling everything to the right and there are two tiny pelvic muscles that are contracted. I'm wondering if this could be related to the fascia.
Many thanks,
Wendy

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Dr. Russell Schierling

8/21/2017 06:22:25 pm

Hello Wendy,

Certainly could be, but I must admit that pelvic floor rehab is not my strong suit and not something I do in the office.

sincerely,
Dr. Russ

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Lorie

8/19/2017 07:30:24 pm

Can you give any information on this fabulous article in relation to Ehlers Danlos or other connective tissue disorders? Those of us who suffer are desperate for help.

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Adele Evans

8/19/2017 10:38:55 pm

Fantastic read, thank you.
I had fascia release over one knee as previous two surgeries of scraping behind patella didn't stop pain. The fascia release helped somewhat at the time I think but this was done in '91 and last 18+ years have had on/off osun. I also had an injury to shin area of other leg which after skin healing, have had ongoing pain and was diagnosed with CRPS about 9 years ago. Still trying to deal with that as meds I've tried hasn't helped. On top of that I have CFS. Christ my body is a mess. Will be very interested in more posts and see lots more reading ahead!

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D Kay

8/20/2017 07:01:03 am

Extreme SI pain as well as leg, neck and shoulder pain plagued me for years until I started regular, daily yoga practice Yin Yoga particularly relieved and then eliminated all pain. Knowing one's body is key to health. Excellent information. Thank you

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Mariaan Liversage

8/20/2017 07:10:54 am

Will migraines have any relation to this condition?

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Dr. Russell Schierling

8/21/2017 06:16:25 pm

Yes Mariaan,

Make sure to use the search bar and look at my articles on Migraine Headaches.

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Holly

8/20/2017 07:28:50 am

Great article. I developed fibromyalgia in 1999. I firmly believe it to be a fascia disease. In my quest for relief I have discovered over the counter lotions, soaps (particularly deodorant) laundry soap and fabric softeners all aggravate, often causing allondynia. My understanding is like skin in that it is fluid based. Our skin like a sponge so to our fascia. Absorbing chemicals in our environment.

Thank you for a great article. I have a problem with tissue loading and can't get doctors to get it.

Holly

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Yako Merogi

8/20/2017 02:24:13 pm

Very interesting article. Would love to read more about fascia and how it affects us on a daily basis.

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Dr. Russell Schierling

8/21/2017 06:11:41 pm

Thanks Dr. Yako.

Make sure to check out this post.
http://www.doctorschierling.com/blog/the-fascia-scar-tissue-super-post-all-of-my-scientific-articles-on-fascia-and-scar-tissue-organized-and-in-one-place

Hi, this is a really interesting post & as someone who has had many back ops, first aged 21 as a student nurse, I really relate to so much of this.– I have included a link on PainPalsBlog regular feature Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You! and so pleased to have found & follow you, Claire

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Dr. Russell Schierling

8/21/2017 06:03:56 pm

Thanks Claire,

I sincerely hope you were able to find something on my site to help you.

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lisa vannelli

8/21/2017 11:59:18 am

fasinating

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Becky

8/21/2017 12:05:27 pm

Very informative! Do you have any insights or information on how this comes into play in scoliosis? Particularly with a DNA/Irish famine component? I'm at least the 4th generation in a maternal line to have the condition, though in me it has been the most significant. I have two daughters I want to spare from this condition.

I may have missed it since it's quite a long read but ROLFING with a certified Rolfer is an excellent remedy for the aches and pains that we have. I swear by it.

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Sue

8/24/2017 07:02:06 am

I've recently been diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia and my first symptoms were a very tight neck and shoulder. I went to physical therapy for the neck issues and he did some intense massage and it seems shortly after the TN started. Could my therapy have released the beast and this is the bad before better? I understand about nerve entrapment in fascia, I'm just scared to get any more myofascial done that might make it worse.

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Dr. Russell Schierling

8/28/2017 05:27:46 am

I can't even fathom what it would take to actually cause Tic Delroux via bodywork. No, your therapist did not cause this --- it was already manifesting when you were treated, just not completely.

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Rachel Rebman

8/24/2017 08:59:30 am

In my 20's I developed Fibromyalgia and CFS and now, in my 40's, I am dying of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). I am wondering if this technique would help ALS at all?

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Dr. Russell Schierling

8/28/2017 05:25:20 am

Heart breaking but unfortunately, no.

Sincerely,
Dr. Russ

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Sonya

8/24/2017 02:09:21 pm

Fascinating, thank you for sharing! I had severe fascial pain a couple of years ago and interestingly an adjustment to my thyroid medication made it disappear within a week. My therapist treating me couldn't believe I was the same person he had seen for fascial pain the previous week. I know my hypothyroidism affects my joints and has been the cause of numbness and tingling but I'm curious - how is the thyroid related to fascia? Thanks!

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Dr. Russell Schierling

8/28/2017 05:21:57 am

Hello Sonya,

Any time thyroid hormones are out of whack, it creates all sorts of problems, including systemic inflammation, which is the root of all sorts of everything. I have a great post on this topic.
http://www.doctorschierling.com/blog/americas-thyroid-epidemic

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Elizabeth Scheide

8/27/2017 10:21:14 am

I find your article exceedingly relevant. After several falls on my buttocks, I have had spinal, hip, leg and ankle pain. PT made it worse; spinal shots helped briefly. Most chiropractic treatment failed to ease the pain until I found a chiropractor who uses myofascial release and stretching in his treatments. My pain is now slight and at last is localized to specific areas in the spine and legs. I am hoping that with continued treatment I will be able to ditch my wheel chair, bear my weight for extended periods of time and perhaps even to walk without a walker. Your article gives me hope. Thanks.

Doc.
I had my entire colon removed at 39 yrs old (Colitis). Surgeon notified me that in 8-12 years I may have issue with spinal fusion (Ankylosing spondylitis) and wouldn't you know as if expecting a birthday, 10 years and I couldn't lay on my side, back or put any weight on my chest, 50lbs / felt like an elephant was on my chest (gym was out of the question). At 49 yrs my inflammation marker was 24.2 / as if I was 90 year old with severe rheumatoid arthritis in my entire body / my immune system was eating away at all my soft tissue ( believe my fascia has suffered damage ). 2 options avl. 1) give my immune system something else to attack ( worm larva with a 48 hour life cycle 2) shut immune system down, HUMIRA / The immune system can overproduce the TNF protein, which is one source of inflammation that contributes to the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis. HUMIRA targets and helps block TNF (a particular protein), reducing its inflammatory effects on the joints, causing the back pain and stiffness of ankylosing spondylitis. I decided to try HUMIRA / 4YRS later and on twice the dose as started now believe that I need alternative and that my facia is deteriorated / knees, ankles and wrists are losing their stability, pain in my neck and entire spinal column is constant 24/7 and have developed a twitch on my neck.
Can you offer advise / how to test fascia loss, how to rebuild or rehab fascia ?
Regards Rod

Stumbled upon your site- wonderful. Am a 50 year old female competitive powerlifter/crossfitter, preceded by a long athletic history, water polo mainly. Am also a researcher - mitochondrial illness, so I am fascinated by this for multiple reasons, personal and professional. Have a cluster of injuries across the lifespan (c6-7 w/ left side nerve damage, rt rotator cuff), as well as c-section/hysterectomy which I think severely limited both core strength but also proprioceptive ability. The fascia connection makes sense. I have difficulty sensing the bottom of a squat and am quite unbalanced/unconnected in my bench (and in other areas too!). Have a sense that the neck injury has led to issues in the thoracic spine, perioidic low rib popping when deadlifting and many months long piriformis with left leg nerve/weakness issues. Don't have back pain fortunately (save the rib area), even though I deadlift heavy. Have tried massage, ART/Chiro - which seems to work to release my hips and for a few days squat and press better, but then it dissipates. It doesn't seem to hold. And the pain from both the ribs/thoracic region and the butt/leg never go away.

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Dr. Russell Schierling

9/8/2017 02:09:54 am

Hello Dr. Marrs,

For those who are not aware, her doctorate is in Neuroendocrinology --- check out her very cool site. I am at least somewhat familiar with your work as I have kicked around your site several times mostly because of your stuff on the dangers of fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Amazing stuff! As far as your issues, I treat a number of serious powerlifters and strongmen (search Jared Davis on my site) and was myself a powerlifter (non-competitive) for years. These sorts of injuries add up over time, causing a "tethering" of your ability to move biomechanically correctly. I'm not sure I have any DIY advice for with this, but if you are ever vacationing in the Ozarks, make sure and stop by. Best guess is that I could help you with at least some of these issues (usually when people respond well to massage, ART, or similar, but it doesn't seem to last very long, I can help). Oh, make sure to check out my articles on Rib Tissue Pain as well.

Sincerely,
Russ S

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Dr. Russell Schierling

9/8/2017 01:44:34 am

All I can say Eric is thanks for the kudos --- I am truly honored. For those who may not be aware, Dr. Eric is not only a brilliant physician in the field of Functional Medicine, he is one of America's leading nutritional / training authorities for athletes --- especially strength athletes. And although he is a world-wide renowned teacher, the coolest thing about Eric is that he is all-in for his patients. He not only leaves no stone unturned by asking all the right questions, he is willing to think outside of the box and come up with some extremely cool solutions. Again, I am honored to have you reading my material Eric.

Sincerely, Russ S

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Lisa Kenion

9/19/2017 05:40:47 am

What are the effects of movement, like yoga or tai chi on facia?

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Maya

3/15/2019 09:42:10 pm

Yoga is detrimental. Viscosity and elasticity of fascia is vital to moving well. Regular yoga practice (and any other form of static stretching) reduces those two qualities exponentially.

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laportama

3/16/2019 03:33:25 am

Maya!

Michelle Starr

3/16/2019 06:27:34 pm

Hi Maya! Is there any research on this about yoga and viscosity and elasticity of fascia and how regular yoga practice reduces those qualities please???? I find that yin yoga (4 whiplashes and low back, neck discomfort is alleviated by doing yoga and that I move much more freely since doing yoga and no pain or discomfort) keeps my suppleness ....if this is so detrimental to my well being, I would like to know for sure and what else can be done instead of stretching. Thanks in advance for your response. Cheers :)

Jackie

10/5/2017 09:31:01 am

I have R.A. It began as a stabbing pain in my wrists and remains most problematic in my wrists.
How do you explain that?

Thank you.

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Tina

10/10/2017 08:17:21 am

My friend donated his kidney to a family member 6 Years ago. He has gradually increasing left flank pain. He was told this is nerve damage. Sometimes he has sharp pains just sitting still but it is also exacerbated by strenuous activity, such as when he does lifting/reaching of boxes at work at his retail job. I’m wondering how one would release the scar tissue. Would it hurt to try deep tissue vibration? Are there specialist that exist to treat this non surgically?

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Dr. Russell Schierling

10/16/2017 12:52:08 pm

Hey Tina,

Make sure to take a look at my blog because I just wrote an article about proprioception and its relationship to Whole Body Vibration.

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Lisa

11/24/2017 10:18:11 am

I believe fascia to play a key role in Ehler's Danlos Syndrome (EDS). Would love to see more studies looking into this. Thank you so much for sharing the information!

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Dr. Russell Schierling

12/2/2017 05:49:22 am

Hey Lisa, make sure to search Ehler's Danlos on my site as I have a cool article on it.

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sandra lowry

12/25/2017 09:10:41 pm

Great article. However, I saw no mention of Epstein Barr or Herpes Symplex and their contributions to Fibro or Chronic Fatigue or that spirochete Lyme bacterial infections or even Parvo B19 can be stored in those muscles, as I understand it, and cause the pain you describe....but maybe that's in another article I have yet to read.

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Eva Heraud

6/24/2018 05:48:36 pm

Thank you for sharing. Very Interesting.

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Shawn

10/14/2018 02:18:08 pm

Dr. Russell Schierling,

Thank you for such eye-opening information.
Can you please share your feedback on how this information might apply to patients with bulbar als? And what possible steps could be taken to slow down or even stop the death of motor neurons? Long shot, I know but wanted to get your take. Thank you kindly!

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Dr. Russ

10/15/2018 03:02:16 am

I'm not really sure Shawn although a friend of mine, Eric Serrano in the Columbus OH area, a Functional Medicine genius, might have some suggestions.

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Dr. Schierling completed four years of Kansas State University's five-year Nutrition / Exercise Physiology Program before deciding on a career in Chiropractic. He graduated from Logan Chiropractic College in 1991, and has run a busy clinic in Mountain View, Missouri ever since. He and his wife Amy have four children (three daughters and a son).